This is the 22nd sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Sakthivanesvara Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva located in a small village called Thirusakthimutram, near another small (but relatively better-known) village, Patteswaram. The nearest urban centre, about seven kilometres (four-and-a-half miles) away, is Kumbakonam in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Here the presiding deity Sakthivanesvara is a form of the Hindu god Shiva, in which his usual worship symbol the Lingam is hugged by his consort Parvati, hence he is also known as Sivakozhundeesvara and Sakthi Mutham. It is believed that when one prays to Sakthivanesvara with faith, one is blessed with the life partner of one's choice.

Important Features:

It is considered as one of 275 Paadal Petral Stalams.

Sri Sakthi embraced Lord Shiva and gave kiss. Idol is in front of moolavar sannadhi. Archana is performed only to this Shivasakthi moortham. Only aarathy is shown to moolavar.

Lord shiva asked Appar to come to Thirunalloor to get thiruvadi theekshai.

Thiruganasambandhar went to Patteechuram under the muthu pandal from this temple.

There are two Ambal sannadhis.

The Lingam іs hugged by hіs consort Parvati.

This temple has 5 tier Raja Gopuram.

This Shivastalam is situated almost next door to Patteeswaram (Pazhayarai), one time capital of the Cholas. Darasuram, a vertable art gallery of Chola architecture and sculpture is situated close by. Satthi Mutrattu Pulavar of 'Naarai Naarai' (popularized in Tamil Text books all over the state) hailed from this town. The entire Pazhaiyaarai region abounds in remains of ancient temples. Mention must be made of the nearby Pazhaiyaarai Vadatali, the Somanathar temple and the vast Patteeswaram temples nearby. Sakthimutham is considered to be the 22nd in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.

This temple with 2 prakarams occupies an area of under an acre. A majestic Rajagopuram crowns its entrance, although the glorious days of the temple are now mere history. An image of Shiva and Parvati in embrace associated with the legend, is enshrined in the temple. The Natarajar shrine and the Sarabeswarar shrine are of importance here.

Appar is said to have prayed to surrender at the feet of Shiva; his prayer is believed to have been granted at Tirunallur nearby. The unusual practice of placing a chatari containing an image of the feet of the deity, on the heads of devotees (a Vaishnavite tradition) is carried out at Tirunallur, commemorating Appar's surrender at the feet of Shiva.

This temple was reconstructed in stone during the period of Sembiyan Mahadevi and the early years of Raja Raja Chola I (1000 CE). Inscriptions from the period of Rajadiraja Chola II (1166-1182 CE), Kulottunga Chola III, and the Vijayanagar Emperors are seen here.

The temple is big in size facing east. Lord Vallabha Ganapathy graces the devotees at the entrance. The temple has a five tier Rajagopuram and vast outer prakara. There are shrines for Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga at the entrance of the second tower. Shrine of Mother Ambica is facing south. There is also a Nataraja mandap. At the main entrance are shrines for Lord Somaskanda on one side and Mother Shakti and Sthala Aideekamurthy on other sides. In the inner prakara are shrines for Somaskanda, Arumuga Peruman (Muruga) and Gajalakshmi.

History / Legend:

Mother Parvathi (Shakti) worshipped Lord Shiva here, embraced and kissed Him, hence the place is named Tiruchathi (Shakti) Mutham (kissing) – Tiruchathimuttram. This form of Mother embracing the Lord still exists in the temple. This form of Ambika is depicted at the northern side near the sanctum sanctorum. Mother performing penance standing on a single leg, is also depicted behind this sculpture.

It is said that this a replica of Mother Kamakshi embracing Lord in Kancheepuram. Mother Parvathi, Sage Agasthya, Saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Arunagiri Nathar and Ramalinga Adigal had worshiped Lord in this temple. Lord granted the Tiruvadi darshan (darshan of the feet of Lord) to Saint Tirunavukkarasar in this place. Special pujas are performed in the temple on full moon and new moon days.

Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi wanted to establish the truth that bhakti (piety) alone is the singular path to salvation. Mother Parvathi was performing penance in the Shathimuttram near the Surya Pushkarini Shoola theertha on the southern side of Cauvery. But Lord delayed His darshan to Mother Parvathi. This could not deter mother from Her resolute penance standing on a single leg. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Mother as a fire ball. Yet, knowing that the fire ball was but Lord Shiva, Mother Parvathi embraced the fire jyoti. Lord Shiva was cooled. This shows that though problem burn a family as fire, this could be solved by mutual love between the couples.

Youth and virgins awaiting marriage pray to Lord embraced by Mother Shakti for early wedding, removal of bad aspects on them and a well and happily settled wedded life. Also couples separated due to some difference of opinion will be blessed with re-union.

Location: This sivasthalam temple is located near Patteeswaram, another Paadal Petra Sthalam. The nearest railway station is at Darasuram, which is on the Thanjavur - Kumbakonam section of the Southern Railway. This Siva sthalam is at a distance of about 8 Kms from Kumbakonam.

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